towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, hanging right from 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
behind, ridden over 2f out, hanging right, no headway over 1f out, never nearer
always behind and never dangerous final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, driven out easily
started slowly, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous final 2f, eased over 1f out
held up 4th, ridden over 3f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
held up 5th, ridden over 2f out, slightly outpaced, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong
led until headed 2f out, lost 2nd 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
started slowly, always towards rear, never in contention
held up behind mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling, never dangerous
tracked leader to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in 6th, headway on inside over 2f out, took 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner
EPIDAURIAN KING is a speculative pick against likely market principals, Imperium and White Moss. Derek Shaw's horses did suffer a barren run at the end of last year but as a consequence, a number of those horses have dropped down the weights somewhat and this is one case in point. A winner off just a 1lb lower at this course, if he stays the trip, he has to be factored into this contest at what are likely to be decent odds. Imperium continues to win in his turn and the old boy delivered on his one hundredth start. He can run well again. White Moss has always hinted at ability and eventually landed a maiden handicap at Bath for Mark Tompkins. Sent hurdling with Jim Best, he evidently saw some latent ability as well. Penang Cinta looks fairly exposed these days though may have come on for a recent break. Moon Mix is better known as a hurdler these days but he has been known to pop up at big odds into the places. Resplendent Ace has ran lamentably on his last two outings but the handicapper is at least dropping him down the handicap as a consequence. Eseej left Barry Hills' yard for the token sum of 800 guineas so all credit to the Hiatt yard for engineering a success in a maiden at the track in December. Little Richard tends to put up his best work at Wolverhampton but has ran creditably at this circuit in the past. Epidaurian King is selected to minimum stakes.
Ryedale Ovation (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Steadied start, held up in rear, never dangerous, last of 7, 3l behind Sky Quest (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, lost touch over 2f out, soon behind, 11th of 12, 8l behind Sunset Boulevard (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
White Moss (IRE) 9-4fav (9-6) Held up in touch, headway 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, driven out final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f app mdn hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug beating Jiminor Mack (8-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Imperial Harry 25-1 (9-3) Pulled very hard in rear, headway to chase leading pair 8f out, ridden and effort 2f out, still every chance over 1f out, faded final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Sunset Boulevard (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Moon Mix (FR) 33-1 (9-10) Steadied start, keen, held up in rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 10, 8l behind Weybridge Light (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Penang Cinta 11-4fav (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, driven and one pace final 2 furlongs, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Nobelix (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Imperium 10-1 (9-8) Steadied start, held up mid division, headway to lead well over 1f out, ran on strongly, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Terminate (9-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Eseej (USA) 5-2 (9-3) Made all, raced keenly, led and set modest pace, ridden and quickened 2f out, soon clear, ridden out, unchallenged, won at Kempton 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec beating The Little Master (9-7) by 6l, 7 ran.
Make Amends (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 15l behind Support Fund (9-5) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Punta Galera (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Always behind, last of 9, 25l behind Mozayada (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Top Tiger 28-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never near leaders, 8th of 11, 7l behind Dayia (9-11) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Epidaurian King (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, not clear run well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 13, 7l behind Templetuohy Max (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Little Richard (IRE) 18-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway on outer over 1f out, finished well inside final furlong, closed on leaders near finish, 4th of 12, 1l behind Sunset Boulevard (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Garra Molly (IRE) 11-4fav (9-6) Chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, 10th of 14, 35l behind Quitit (8-13) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
